U.S. patent application number 11/942982 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-29 for keyboard musical instrument having keys equipped with balancers biting into keys and method for securing balancers to keys.
This patent application is currently assigned to YAMAHA CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Satoshi Inoue, Hitoshi Izutani, Noboru Yamashita.
Application Number | 20080121093 11/942982 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34916562 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080121093 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Izutani; Hitoshi ; et
al. |
May 29, 2008 |
KEYBOARD MUSICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING KEYS EQUIPPED WITH BALANCERS
BITING INTO KEYS AND METHOD FOR SECURING BALANCERS TO KEYS
Abstract
Keys of an acoustic piano require balancers for cancellation of
a part of self weight of the action units/hammers; however, the
balancers are liable to be dropped off due to the aged
deterioration of the wooden bars; in order to keep the balancers
stable in the keys against the aged deterioration, the balancer is
plastically deformed so as to bite into the wooden bar, the
balancer, which is formed with thorns, is rotated so as to make the
thorns bite into the wooden bar, the balancer is shaped into a
configuration different from the holes so as to exert resilient
force on the inner surface in a direction in parallel to the grain
of wood, or the balancer is inserted into a constricted hole so as
to strongly exert the resilient force on the inner surface, thereby
being prevented from the dropping off from the keys.
Inventors: |
Izutani; Hitoshi;
(Shizuoka-ken, JP) ; Yamashita; Noboru;
(Shizuoka-ken, JP) ; Inoue; Satoshi;
(Shizuoka-ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO LLP
1177 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS (6TH AVENUE)
NEW YORK
NY
10036-2714
US
|
Assignee: |
YAMAHA CORPORATION
Hamamatsu-Shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
34916562 |
Appl. No.: |
11/942982 |
Filed: |
November 20, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11068971 |
Mar 2, 2005 |
7345235 |
|
|
11942982 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
84/745 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G10C 3/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
84/745 |
International
Class: |
G10H 1/34 20060101
G10H001/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 17, 2004 |
JP |
2004-075631 |
Mar 22, 2004 |
JP |
2004-083158 |
Apr 20, 2004 |
JP |
2004-124142 |
May 18, 2004 |
JP |
2004-147278 |
Sep 15, 2004 |
JP |
2004-267804 |
Claims
1. A method for securing a balancer to a bar of a key incorporated
in a keyboard musical instrument, comprising: preparing a balancer
having at least one lodged portion and preparing a bar formed with
a hole; inserting said balancer into said hole without rotating
said balancer; and rotating said balancer in said hole after said
balancer is inserted into said hole so as to make said at least one
lodged portion lodged in said bar.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said balancer
includes a body and projections projecting from a periphery of said
body so that said projections are lodged in said bar as said at
least one lodged portion.
3. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said projections are
implemented by thorns, and said thorns swerve from said hole
through the rotating motion so as to bite into said bar.
4. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said body has plural
polygonal portions, and said plural polygonal portions have edges
serving as said projections.
5. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said projections are
implemented by blades, and said blades swerve from said hole
through the rotating motion so as to bite into said bar.
6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said balancer has a
column shape, and part of the circumferences of the end surfaces of
said column shape serves as said at least one lodged portion.
7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one
lodged portion is lodged in said bar through the motion of said
balancer selected from the group consisting of rotation, sliding
and inclination.
8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said balancer is
formed with a polygonal hollow space, and a tool is inserted into
said polygonal hollow space for rotating said balancer.
9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein said balancer is
pinched with a tool for rotating said balancer.
10. A keyboard musical instrument comprising: a tone generator
generating tones, and having self-weight; and plural keys each
having a longitudinal direction, each key comprising first end
portions of bars connected to said tone generator so that said
self-weight is exerted thereon, and second end portions located at
opposite sides to said first end portions with respect to
respective fulcrums of said bars, wherein said second end portions
are weighted with resiliently deformed balancers for canceling part
of said self-weight, and are selectively depressed by a player for
specifying the pitch of said tones, wherein each of said plural
keys is formed with at least one constricted hole to receive an
associated one of said resiliently deformed balancers so as to
permit said associated one of said resiliently deformed balancers
to exert resilient force on an inner surface defining a constricted
portion of said constricted hole in a direction substantially
parallel to the longitudinal direction.
11. The keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 10,
wherein said at least one constricted hole has an entrance open to
the outside on a surface of the bar of said each of said plural
keys and wider in cross section than said constricted portion and
an intermediate portion varied in cross section so as to connect
said entrance to said constricted portion.
12. The keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 11,
wherein said intermediate portion is defined by a slope.
13. The keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 11,
wherein said intermediate portion is defined by a curved inner
surface.
14. The keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 11,
wherein said at least one constricted hole further has another
entrance and another intermediate portion located in symmetry with
respect to said constricted portion.
15. The keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 14,
wherein said constricted portion is the boundary between said
intermediate portion and said another intermediate portion.
16. The keyboard musical instrument as set forth in claim 11,
wherein said at least one constricted hole further has another
entrance open to said outside on another surface of said bar and
wider in cross section than said constricted portion, and an abrupt
boundary between said intermediate portion and said another
entrance serves as said constricted portion.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein said hole has a center axis and
is defined by an inner surface, and said inserting further
comprises forming straight grooves in the inner surface that are
parallel to the center axis.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S.
application Ser. No. 11/068,971 filed Mar. 2, 2005, the disclosure
of which is incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a keyboard musical instrument and,
more particularly, to a keyboard musical instrument having keys
equipped with balancers and a method for assembling the balancers
with keys.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] An acoustic piano belongs to the keyboard musical
instrument. A player designates the pitch of tones to be produced
through the keyboard during his or her performance. In other words,
the keyboard offers an interface to players.
[0004] The keyboard includes plural keys, which are laid on the
well-known pattern. Action units are respectively held in contact
with the rear portions of the keys, and hammers, which are opposed
to associated strings, are linked with the action units,
respectively. Thus, the total weight of the action unit and hammer
is exerted on the rear portion of each key.
[0005] When the player depresses the front portion of a key against
the total weight of the associated action unit and hammer, the
depressed key gives rise to rotation of the action unit, and the
action unit forces the hammer to rotate. The player feels the total
weight of the action unit and hammer exerted on the finger as the
load against the key motion. When the jack, which forms a part of
the action unit, is brought into contact with a regulating button,
the jack escapes from the hammer, and the hammer starts freely to
rotate toward the associated string. Then, the player feels the
depressed key lighter than before. The change in resistance against
the key motion is unique to the piano, and is called as "piano key
touch".
[0006] The piano key touch originates from the variable load due to
the action units and hammers. The total weight of action unit and
hammer is not equal among the keys. Moreover, the players have
accustomed themselves to the keys decreased in load from the
lower-pitched part to the higher-pitched part. In this situation,
the manufacturers used to regulate the keys to the ramped load by
means of balancers made of lead. The lead is heavy, and gets to fit
the keys. However, the lead is harmful. Various balancers made of
non-lead material have been proposed.
[0007] One of the prior art balancers is disclosed in Japan Patent
Application laid-open No. 2002-265793. The prior art balancer
disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application laid-open is made of
tungsten powder-containing synthetic resin, and is shaped into a
column. The peripheral surface is smooth, and any spine does not
project from the peripheral surface. A cylindrical hole or
cylindrical holes are formed in the front portion of the key made
of wood, and are open to the outside on both side surfaces of the
wooden key. The cylindrical holes are slightly smaller in diameter
than the prior art column-shaped balancers. The prior art balancers
are pressed into the holes so as to be snugly received therein.
While the prior art column-shaped balancer is proceeding into the
cylindrical hole, the cylindrical hole is reamed with the prior art
column-shaped balancer, and the prior art balancer gets to fit the
key.
[0008] Although the prior art column-shaped balancers are stable in
the cylindrical holes of the wooden key after the insertion, the
wooden key tends to lose the resiliency during a long service time,
and the prior art column-shaped balancers are liable to be dropped
out. This is the first problem inherent in the prior art
column-shaped balancers. If the piano is put in high-humidity
environment, the wooden keys expand, and can not tightly hold the
prior art column-shaped balancers. Another problem inherent in the
prior art column-shaped balancers is that the wood keys are liable
to be cracked. The grain of wood usually extends in parallel to the
longitudinal direction of the wooden keys, and the wood has a large
mechanical strength in the direction in parallel the grain rather
than the direction vertical to the grain. While a worker is
pressing the prior art column-shaped balancer into the cylindrical
hole, the prior art column-shaped balancer is slightly shrunk by
virtue of the synthetic resin, and isotropically exerts the
resilient force on the inner surface which defines the cylindrical
hole. Although the wooden key well withstands the resilient force
in the direction parallel to the grain of the wood, the wooden key
cracks in the direction parallel to the grain of the wood due to
the resilient force exerted in the direction vertical to the grain.
The column-shaped balancer disclosed in the Japanese Patent
Application laid-open is hereinafter referred to as "the first
prior art balancer".
[0009] Another prior art balancer is disclosed in Japanese Patent
Application laid-open No. 2003-162279. The prior art balancer
disclosed therein is hereinafter referred to as "the second prior
art balancer". The second prior art balancer consists of a pair of
weight pieces and a bolt. The weight piece has a configuration like
a hat. In other words, a brim projects from the periphery of a
crown, and a through-hole is formed in the weight piece. One of the
weight pieces is formed with a female screw along the through-hole.
A cylindrical hole or holes are formed in the front portion of the
key, and are approximately equal in diameter to the crowns.
However, the brims are larger in diameter than the cylindrical
holes. The weight pieces are respectively inserted into the
cylindrical hole from both sides of the key until the brims are
brought into contact with the side surfaces of the key. The bolt is
inserted into the through-hole of one of the weight pieces, and is
brought into meshing engagement with the female screw. The weight
pieces are connected with each other by means of the bolt in the
cylindrical hole.
[0010] The brims do not permit the weight pieces to pass through
the cylindrical hole, and the bolt joints the weight pieces. For
this reason, the second prior art balancers are not dropped out
from the keys. Moreover, the second prior art balancer does not
exert any resilient force on the key so that the keys are free from
the cracks. However, another problem is encountered in the second
prior art balancer in that a large amount of time and labor is
consumed in the assembling work. This is because of the fact that
the second prior art balancer consists of the physically
independent three parts.
[0011] Yet another prior art balancer, which is hereinafter
referred to as "the third prior art balancer", is disclosed in
Japanese Patent Application laid-open No. 2003-150148. The third
prior art balancer has a configuration like a piece of bamboo. The
third prior art balancer has several nodes like the bamboo joints.
The nodes radially project from the trunk portion, and bite the
inner surface portion of the wooden key which defines the
through-hole. When a worker assembles the third prior art balancer
with the wooden key, the worker roughly aligns the third prior art
balancer with the through-hole, and presses the third prior art
balancer into the through-hole. While the third prior art balancer
is proceeding into the through-hole, the nodes scrape out the wood,
and bores up the through-hole. For this reason, only the lead node
strongly bites the wooden key, and the other nodes are softly
engaged with the wooden key. When the end surface of the third
prior art balancer becomes coplanar with the side surfaces of the
wooden key, the worker by no means exerts the force on the third
prior art balancer. Thus, the assembling work is easier than that
for the second prior art balancer. Moreover, the third prior art
balancer does not crack the wooden key.
[0012] However, the third balancer is unstable in the wooden key as
similar to the first prior art balancer. Although the nodes do not
permit the third prior art balancer to pass through the hole, the
nodes are less effective against the backward motion toward the
entrance of the through-hole. When the keys are repeatedly
depressed and released, the lead node tends to be disengaged from
the step between the large bore and the small bore. As a result,
the third prior art balancer is liable to be rattled in the
through-hole, and is finally dropped out from the wooden key.
[0013] As will be understood, there is a trade-off between the
easiness of the assembling work and the stability of the prior art
balancer inside the key.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is therefore an important object of the present invention
to provide a keyboard musical instrument, balancers of which are
stable in keys without sacrifice of easiness of the assembling
work.
[0015] It is also an important object of the present invention to
provide a key, which is used in the keyboard musical
instrument.
[0016] It is another important object of the present invention to
provide a method for assembling the balancer with the key.
[0017] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a keyboard musical instrument comprising a tone
generator generating tones and having self-weight and plural keys
including respective end portions of bars connected to the tone
generator so that the self-weight is exerted thereon and other end
portions located at opposite sides to the end portions with respect
to respective fulcrums of the bars and weighted with balancers for
canceling part of the self-weight and selectively depressed by a
player for specifying the pitch of the tones, and each of the
balancers has a plastically deformed portion, which makes the
aforesaid each of the balancers engaged with associated one of the
bars.
[0018] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a keyboard musical instrument comprising a tone
generator generating tones and having self-weight and plural keys
including respective end portions of bars connected to the tone
generator so that the self-weight is exerted thereon and other end
portions located at opposite sides to the end portions with respect
to respective fulcrums of the bars and weighted with resiliently
deformed balancers for canceling part of the self-weight and
selectively depressed by a player for specifying the pitch of the
tones, and each of the plural keys is formed with at least one hole
different in cross section from associated one of the resiliently
deformed balancers so as to permit the associated one of the
resiliently deformed balancers to exert resilient force on part of
the inner surface defining the at least one hole in a direction
parallel to a longitudinal direction of associated one of the
bars.
[0019] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a keyboard musical instrument
comprising a tone generator generating tones and having self-weight
and plural keys including respective end portions of bars connected
to the tone generator so that the self-weight is exerted thereon
and other end portions located at opposite sides to the end
portions with respect to respective fulcrums of the bars and
weighted with resiliently deformed balancers for canceling part of
the self-weight and selectively depressed by a player for
specifying the pitch of the tones, and each of the plural keys is
formed with at least one constricted hole where associated one of
the resiliently deformed balancers is received so as to permit the
aforesaid associated one of the resiliently deformed balancers to
exert resilient force on an inner surface defining a constricted
portion of the constricted hole.
[0020] In accordance with still another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a method for securing a balancer to a
bar of a key incorporated in a keyboard musical instrument
comprising the steps of a) preparing a balancer having at least one
lodged portion and a bar formed with a hole, b) inserting the
balancer into the hole, and c) moving the balancer in the hole so
as to make the at least one lodged portion lodged in the bar.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The features and advantages of the keyboard musical
instrument, key and method will be more clearly understood from the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which
[0022] FIG. 1 is a side view showing the structure of a grand piano
according to the present invention,
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the key incorporated in
the grand piano implementing the first embodiment,
[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing holes formed in the
front portion of the key,
[0025] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a
balancer before insertion into the key,
[0026] FIG. 5A is a front view showing the balancer,
[0027] FIG. 5B is a side view showing the balancer,
[0028] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along dots-and-dash
line 5 and showing a crushable portion of the balancer,
[0029] FIGS. 7A and 7B are side views showing a method for
assembling the balancer with the key,
[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view showing the first
modification of the balancer incorporated in the first
embodiment,
[0031] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view showing the second
modification of the balancer incorporated in the second
embodiment,
[0032] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view showing the third
modification of the balancer incorporated in the third
embodiment,
[0033] FIGS. 11A and 11B are side views showing the fourth
modification of the balancer before and after force is exerted
thereon,
[0034] FIGS. 12A and 12B are side views showing the fifth
modification of the balancer before and after force is exerted
thereon,
[0035] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view showing a relative portion
of a crushable portion with respect to a disk portion in the fifth
modification,
[0036] FIGS. 14A and 14B are side views showing the sixth
modification of the balancer before and after force is exerted
thereon,
[0037] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing another sort of
balancers in the wooden bar implementing the second embodiment,
[0038] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the configuration of
the balancer,
[0039] FIG. 17A is a side view showing the balancer inserted into
the wooden bar at the first step of a method for securing the
balancer to a wooden bar,
[0040] FIG. 17B is a cross sectional view taken along line 4A-4A of
FIG. 17A and showing the balancer inserted into the wooden bar,
[0041] FIG. 17C is a side view showing the balancer rotated in the
wooden bar at the second step of the method,
[0042] FIG. 17D is a cross sectional view taken along line 6A-6A of
FIG. 17C and showing the balancer in the wooden bar,
[0043] FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a balancer to be
secured to a wooden bar through the first modification of the
method,
[0044] FIG. 19A is a side view showing the balancer inserted into
the wooden bar at the first step of the first modification of the
method,
[0045] FIG. 19B is a cross sectional view taken along line 9B-9B of
FIG. 19A and showing the balancer inserted into the wooden bar,
[0046] FIG. 19C is a side view showing the balancer rotated in the
wooden bar at the second step of the first modification of the
method,
[0047] FIG. 19D is a cross sectional view taken along line 9B-9B of
FIG. 19C and showing the balancer in the wooden bar,
[0048] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a balancer to be
secured to a wooden bar through the second modification of the
method,
[0049] FIG. 21A is a side view showing the balancer inserted into
the wooden bar at the first step of the second modification of the
method,
[0050] FIG. 21B is a cross sectional view taken along line 14B-14B
of FIG. 21A and showing the balancer inserted into the wooden
bar,
[0051] FIG. 21C is a side view showing the balancer rotated in the
wooden bar at the second step of the second modification of the
method,
[0052] FIG. 21D is a cross sectional view taken along line 16B-16B
of FIG. 21C and showing the balancer in the wooden bar,
[0053] FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view showing another balancer
in a wooden bar at an inclining step of the second modification of
the method,
[0054] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the configuration of
yet another sort of balancers in a wooden bar implementing the
third embodiment,
[0055] FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the configuration of
the balancer,
[0056] FIGS. 25A and 25B are side views showing a method for
securing the balancer to the wooden bar,
[0057] FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the configuration of
the first modification of the balancer,
[0058] FIGS. 27A and 27B are side views showing a method for
securing the first modification to the wooden bar,
[0059] FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the configuration of
still another sort of balancers in a wooden bar implementing the
fourth embodiment,
[0060] FIG. 29 is a cross sectional view showing constricted holes
formed in the wooden bar,
[0061] FIG. 30 is a partially cut-away perspective view showing a
part of the wooden bar formed with the constricted hole,
[0062] FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing the configuration of
the balancer,
[0063] FIGS. 32A and 32B are cross sectional views showing a method
for securing the balancer to the wooden bar,
[0064] FIG. 33 is a cross sectional view showing the first
modification of the balancer inserted into another constricted
hole,
[0065] FIG. 34 is a cross sectional view showing the second
modification of the balancer inserted into yet another constricted
hole,
[0066] FIG. 35 is a cross sectional view showing the third
modification of the balancer inserted into still another
constricted hole, and
[0067] FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing the configuration of
yet another sort of balancer implementing the fifth embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0068] In the following description, term "front" is indicative of
a position closer to a pianist, who is sitting for fingering, than
a position modified with "rear". A line, which is drawn between a
front point and a corresponding rear point, extends in a
"fore-and-aft" direction, and a lateral direction crosses the
fore-and-aft direction at right angle.
[0069] Description is firstly made on a grand piano of the present
invention with reference to FIG. 1. The grand piano largely
comprises a keyboard 1, a tone generating system 2 and a piano
cabinet 3. The keyboard 1 is mounted on a front portion of the
piano cabinet 3, and is exposed to the pianist. The tone generating
system 2 is housed in the piano cabinet 3, and is linked with the
keyboard 1. While the pianist is fingering on the keyboard 1, the
keyboard 1 notifies the tone generating system 2 of the pitch of
the tones to be produced, and the tones are produced through the
tone generating system 2.
[0070] The keyboard 1 is mounted on a key bed 3a, and includes
black keys 4 and white keys 10. The black keys 4 and white keys 10
are laterally laid on the well-known pattern, and the black and
white keys 4/10 are independently rotatable about balance pins 3b
as indicated by arrow AR1. The tone generating system 2 includes
plural action units 5, hammers 6, dampers 7, strings 8 and a pedal
system 9. The black/white keys 4/10 are respectively linked with
the action units 5 at capstan screws 12b and with the dampers 7 at
the rear end portions. Thus, the black and white keys 4/10 actuate
the associated action units 5 and associated dampers 7 on the way
from respective rest positions to respective end positions. The
hammers 6 are respectively linked with the action units 5 at
respective jacks 5a, and the strings 8 are stretched over the
associated hammers 6. The dampers 7 aim at restriction on
vibrations of the strings 8, and the pedal system 9 imparts the
well-known artificial expressions to the tones.
[0071] The dampers 7 are spaced from the associated strings 8 on
the way toward the end positions so as to permit the strings 8 to
vibrate. The jacks 5a escape from the hammers 6 also on the way of
the end positions so as to give rise to free rotation of the
hammers 6, and the associated strings 8 are struck with the hammers
6 at the end of the free rotation. Then, the strings 8 start to
vibrate for producing the tones at the pitch designated through the
black/white keys 4/10. When the pianist releases the depressed keys
4/10, the black/white keys 4/10 start to return to the respective
end positions. The dampers 6 are brought into contact with the
vibrating strings 8 on the way toward the rest positions, and make
the vibrations decayed. Thus, the action units 5, hammers 6,
dampers 7, strings 8 and pedal system 9 behave similar to those of
a standard grand piano, and no further description is hereinafter
incorporated for the sake of simplicity.
[0072] A wooden bar 11, balancers 12 and a covering plate 12a form
each of the white keys 10, and the black keys 4 are similarly
formed. The wooden bars 11 are elongated in the fore-and-aft
direction, and are rest on a balance rail 12c. A pair of balancers
12 are embedded in the front portion of the key 4/10, and the upper
surface and front end surface of the key 4/10 are decorated with
the covering plate 12a.
[0073] As described hereinbefore, the black and white keys 4/10 are
connected through the capstan screws 12b to the action units 5, and
the action units 5 are respectively connected at the heads of the
jacks 5a to the hammers 6. This results in that the hammer 6 and
action unit 5 exert their weights through the capstan screws 12b on
the rear portions of the associated key 4 or 10. When the pianist
depresses the black or white key 4/10, he or she has to exert the
force on the front portion of the key 4/10 against the total weight
of the action unit and hammer 5/6. If the balancers 12 were not
embedded in the key 4/10, the pianist would feel the key 4/10 too
heavy. The balancers 12 partially cancel the load on the black and
white keys 4/10. For this reason, the pianist can easily depress
the black/white keys 4/10.
[0074] In order to accomplish the objects of the present invention,
several sorts of balancers 12 are employable in the keys 4 and 10
in accordance with the present invention. Description is focused on
the several sorts of balancers 12.
First Embodiment
[0075] Referring to FIG. 2 of the drawings, the first sort of the
balancers 12c is embedded in the key 11. The wooden bar 11 has a
generally rectangular parallelepiped configuration, and the
covering plate 12a extends from the upper surface of the front
portion to the front end. The grain of wood 11G extends in parallel
to the longitudinal direction of the wooden bar. As will be better
seen in FIG. 3, holes 11a and 11b are formed in the front portion
of the wooden bar 11, and are spaced from each other in the
longitudinal direction of the wooden bar 11. The holes 11a and 11b
are cylindrical, and center axes of the holes 11a and 11b are
labeled with "a" and "b", respectively. The center axes a and b
cross the longitudinal direction of the wooden bar 11 at right
angle. The hole 11a is approximately equal in dimensions to the
other hole 11b, and the holes 11a and 11b straightly extend in the
lateral direction of the wooden bar 11 without any change of the
diameter. The holes 11a and 11b are open to the outside on both
side surfaces of the wooden bar 11 so that the length of the holes
11a and 11b is equal to the width of the wooden bar 11. The
balancers 12c are maintained in the holes 11a and 11b in stable,
and are slightly retracted from the side surfaces of the wooden bar
11 as will be seen in FIG. 2. As described hereinafter in detail,
although both end portions of the balancers 12c are approximately
equal in diameter to the holes 11a and 11b, the balancers 12c
partially bulge at intermediate portions thereof, and the
intermediate portions are pressed to the inner surfaces defining
the holes 11a and 11b.
[0076] FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B show the balancer 12c before insertion
into the hole 11a or 11b. The balancers 12c are made of copper.
However, alloy, sintered metal or composite material between metal
and synthetic resin is available for the balancers 12c. Although
the heavy metal is desirable, lead is to be avoided from the
viewpoint of the environmental contamination. The balancers 12c may
be made of iron, copper, brass or tungsten.
[0077] The balancer 12c is broken down into disk portions 15a and
15b and a crushable portion 14 between the disk portions 15a and
15b. The disk portions 15a and 15b and crushable portion 14 are
monolithic in this instance, and, accordingly, are made of one of
the above-mentioned sorts of material. The disk portions 15a and
15b are approximately equal in diameter to the holes 11a and 11b,
or the diameters of the disk portions 15a and 15b are slightly less
than the diameters of the holes 11a and 11b. The crushable portion
14 has the width less than the diameter of the disk portions 15a
and 15b so that the disk portions 15a and 15b are spaced from each
other by the crushable portion 14. The disk portions 15a and 15b
have respective left inner surfaces 13a and right inner surfaces
13b, and the left and right inner surfaces 13a and 13b of the disk
portion 15a are respectively opposed to the left and right inner
surfaces 13a and 13b of the disk portion 15b through hollow spaces
14a and 14b. The center axis of each balancer 15a or 15b is labeled
with "C1" in FIG. 5A, and the center axis of the crushable portion
14 which crosses the center axis C1 at right angle is labeled with
"C2" in the same figure. The hollow space 14a is symmetrical with
the other hollow space 14b. As shown in FIG. 6, the crushable
portion 14 has rounded end surfaces, and the rounded end surfaces
are smoothly continued to the peripheral surfaces of the disk
portions 15a and 15b.
[0078] The balancers 12c are secured to the wooden bar 11 as
follows. Firstly, the assembling worker aligns the center axes C1
of the balancers 12c with the center axes "a" and "b" of the holes
11a and 11b, and inserts the balancers 12c shown in FIGS. 4 to 6
into the holes 11a and 11b in such a manner that the center axes C2
extend in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wooden bar
11, respectively. Subsequently, the assembling worker exerts force
F1/F2 on both end surfaces of the balancers 12c as shown in FIG.
7A. The assembling worker may use a punch, a die and a hammer. The
assembling worker lays the wood bar 11 on the die, and inserts the
balancers 12c into the holes 11a and 11b. Then, the end surfaces of
the balancers 12c are brought into contact with the surface of the
die. Subsequently, the assembling worker brings the punch onto the
other end surfaces of the balancers 12c, and strikes the punch with
the hammer.
[0079] Then, the crushable portions 14 are plastically deformed or
crushed so as to bulge as indicated by 14c in FIG. 7B. The hollow
spaces 14a and 14b may be left between the right inner surfaces 13a
and between the left inner surfaces 13b. However, the gaps between
the inner surfaces 13a and 13b are reduced. The bulge portions 14c
radially project from the peripheral surfaces of the disk portions
15a and 15b, and bite into the inner surface portions of the wooden
bar 11. As a result, the balancers 12c are secured to the wooden
bar 11. Since the bulge portions 14c make the inner surface
portions of the wood bar 11 permanently deformed, the balancers 12c
are not dropped out from the holes 11a and 11b.
[0080] As described in conjunction with the wooden bar 11, the
grain 11G extends in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the
wooden bar 11, and the intermediate portions 14c project in the
direction in which the grain of wood 11G extends. For this reason,
the wooden bar 11 is not cracked
[0081] The monolithic balancers 12c are economically mass-produced
so that the production cost of the keys 4 and 10 is drastically
reduced. Moreover, the assembling worker is expected only to exert
the force F1/F2 on both end surfaces of the balancer 12c so that
the assembling work is simple. This also reduces the production
cost of the keys 4 and 10.
Modifications of the First Embodiment
[0082] FIG. 8 shows a cross section of the first modification 12d
of the balancer 12c. The cross section is viewed in the direction
same as that for the cross section shown in FIG. 6. The balancer
12d is also broken down into a pair of disk portions 17 and a
crushable portion 18. The pair of disk portions 17 is similar to
that shown in FIG. 4, and the crushable portion 18 is constricted
so that hollow spaces 16 take place on both sides of the crushable
portion 18. The crushable portion 18 has side surfaces 18a, which
are curved like an arc.
[0083] The balancer 12d is secured to the wooden bar 11 in a
similar manner to the balancer 12c. When the assembling worker
exerts the force F1/F2 on the disk portions 17, the crushable
portion 18 projects outwardly, and bites into the wooden bar
11.
[0084] FIG. 9 shows a cross section of the second modification 12e
of the balancer 12c. The cross section is also viewed in the same
direction as the cross sections shown in FIGS. 6 and 8. The
balancer 12e is also broken down into a pair of disk portions 17a
and a crushable portion 18a. The crushable portion 18a has a cross
section like a cross so that four sector hollow spaces 16a take
place take place.
[0085] The balancer 12e is secured to the wooden bar 11 as similar
to the balancers 12c and 12d. When the assembling worker exerts the
force F1/F2 on the disk portions 17a, the crushable portion 18a
outwardly projects from the four ends, and bites into the wooden
bar 11.
[0086] FIG. 10 shows a cross section of the third modification 12f
of the balancer 12c. The balancer 12f is also broken down into a
pair of disks 17b and a pair of crushable portions 18b. The
crushable portions 18b are spaced from each other so that a hollow
space 16b takes place therebetween. In other words, the crushable
portions 18b occupy the hollow spaces 14a and 14b, and the hollow
space 17b takes place the zone assigned to the crushable portion
14. However, the hollow space 17b is wider than the crushable
portion 14.
[0087] The balancer 12f is secured to the wooden bar 11 as similar
to the balancer 12c. When the force F1/F2 is exerted on the disk
portions 17b, the curved surfaces outwardly project, and bite into
the wooden bar 11.
[0088] FIGS. 11A and 11B shows the fourth modification 22 of the
balancer 12c. The balancer 22 is broken down into a pair of disks
23a and 25b and a crushable portion 24. The boundary between the
crushable portion 24 and the disk portion 25a is deviated from the
central area of the disk portion 25a toward one side of the
balancer 22, and the boundary between the crushable portion 24 and
the other disk portion 25b is deviated from the central area of the
disk portion 25b toward the other side of the balancer 22. However,
if the balancer 22 is cut along the line same as that in FIG. 6,
the cross sectional view of the balancer 22 is same as that of the
balancer 12c.
[0089] Before insertion into the wooden bar 11, the center axis of
the disk portion 25a is coincident with the center axis of the
other disk portion 25b as indicated by a dot-and-dash line d, and,
accordingly, the peripheral surface of the disk portion 25a is
contiguous to the peripheral surface of the other disk portion 25b
without any step as shown in FIG. 11A.
[0090] When the assembling worker exerts the force F1/F2 on the
disk portions 25a and 25b, the crushable portion 24 is crushed and
further inclined toward the right side of the balancer shown in
FIG. 11B. In other words, the disk portions 25a and 25b are
sideward slipped from the crushable portion 24, and the center axis
d1 of the disk portion 25a is deviated from the center axis d2 of
the other disk portion 25b. Thus, the disk portion 25a rightward
projects from the crushable portion 24 by d3, and the other disk
portion 25b leftward projects from the crushable portion 24 by d3.
The disk portions 25a and 25b give rise to plastic deformation in
inner surface portions of the wooden bar 11, and bite into the
wooden bar 11.
[0091] FIGS. 12A and 12B show the fifth modification 32 of the
balancer 12c. The balancer 32 is also broken down into a pair of
disk portions 35a and 35b and a crushable portion 34. The disk
portions 35a and 35b and crushable portion 34 are similar in
configuration to the disk portions 15a and 15b and crushable
portion 14, respectively. However, a vertical line e0, which
crosses the center axis C2 at right angle, is offset from the
center axes e of the disk portions 35a and 35b as shown in FIGS.
12A and 13. In other words, the right portions of the disk portions
35a and 35b are larger than the left portions.
[0092] When the assembling worker exerts the force F1/F2 on the
disk portions 35a and 35b, the crushable portion 34 causes the disk
portions 35a and 35b inclined, and the center axes e1 and e2 of the
desk portions 35a and 35b are made crossing each other as shown in
FIG. 12B. As a result, parts 36a and 37b of the circumferences of
the outer end surfaces and parts 36b and 37a of the circumferences
of the inner end surfaces project from the circumferences before
the crush, and give rise to plastic deformation in the inner
surface portions of the wooden bar 11. For this reason, the parts
36a, 36b, 37a and 37b bite into the wooden bar 11, and the
balancers 32 are held in the wooden bar 11 in stable.
[0093] FIGS. 14a and 14b show the sixth modification 42 of the
balancer 12c. The balancer 42 is also broken down into a pair of
disk portions 45a and 45b, a crushable disk portion 44 and filler
such as, for example, adhesive compound 49. In this instance, the
crushable disk portion is concentric with the disk portions 45a and
45b. The crushable disk portion 44 is smaller in diameter than the
disk portions 45a and 45b so that a hollow space takes place like a
ring around the crushable disk portion 44. The hollow space is
filled with the adhesive compound 49 as shown in FIG. 14A.
[0094] When the assembling worker exerts the force F1/F2 on the
disk portions 45a and 45b, the crushable disk portion 44 is crushed
so as to reduce the volume of the ring space. Then, the adhesive
compound is pushed out from the ring space as shown in FIG. 14B,
and is spread over the boundary between the inner surface of the
wooden bar 11 and the balancer 42. The adhesive compound is
solidified, and the balancer 42 is adhered to the wooden bar
11.
[0095] As will be understood from the foregoing description, the
balancers 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 22, 32 and 42 have the respective
crushable portions 14, 18, 18a, 18b, 24, 34 and 44, and the
crushable portions 14, 18, 18a, 18b, 24, 34 and 44 are plastically
deformed in the holes 11a and 11b formed in the wooden bars 11 upon
exerting the force F1/F2 on the disk portions 15a/15b, 17, 17a,
17b, 25a/25b, 35a/35b and 45a/45b. The crushed portion 14, 18, 18a,
18b, 24 and 34 give rise to the plastic deformation of the wooded
bars 11, and bite thereinto. Otherwise, the crushed portion 44
evacuates the adhesive compound from the space into the boundary
between the balancer 42 and the inner surface of the wooden bar 11.
As a result, the balancers 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 22, 32 and 42 are
held in the wooden bars 11 in stable, and are hardly dropped out
against the aged deterioration of the wooden bars 11.
Second Embodiment
[0096] Referring to FIG. 15 of the drawings, balancers 12A are
inserted into the holes 11a and 11b formed in the front portion of
the white key 10. The balancers 12A are spaced from one another in
the longitudinal direction of the wooden bar 11.
[0097] The balancer 12A is monolithic. However, the balancer 12A is
broken down into a stem portion 13A, a head portion 14A and thorns
15A. In this instance, the balancers 12A are made of copper.
However, iron, brass, tungsten, sintered metal or composite
material between metal powder and synthetic resin are available for
the balancers 12A. Although heavy metal is desirable, lead is to be
avoided because of the environmental contamination.
[0098] The stem portion 13A is shaped into a column, and the head
portion 14A, which is shaped into a frustum of cone, is formed on
one end surface of the stem portion 13A. The stem portion 13A is
roughly equal in diameter to the hole 11a/11b. The head portion 14A
is equal in diameter at the narrow end to the stem portion 13A, and
is larger in diameter at the wide end than the stem portion 13A.
For this reason, the head portion 14A radially projects from the
stem portion 13A, and a hexagonal socket 16A is open to the outside
on the wide end surface 14Aa of the head portion 14A. Four pairs of
thorns 15A project form the peripheral surface of the stem portions
13A. The pairs of thorns 15A are spaced from adjacent two pairs of
thorns 15A by 90 degrees, and the thorns 15a of each pair are
spaced in the direction parallel to the center axis CL1 of the
balancer 12A.
[0099] Each of the thorns 15A is shaped into a small pyramid, and
has a rear surface 15a substantially in parallel to the wide end
surface 14Aa, and remaining two surfaces 15b and 15c form a sharp
ridge. The sharp ridge is directed to the other end surface 13Aa so
that the thorns 15A are cut into the wooden bar 11 while the
balancer 12A is advancing in the direction indicated by arrow
AR1.
[0100] The balancers 12A are secured to the wooden bar 11 as
follows. First, an assembling worker aligns the center axis CL1
with the center axis "a" or "b", and pushes the balancer 12A into
the hole 11a or 11b. The assembling worker may use a punch and a
hammer. The assembling worker brings the chip of the punch into
contact with the head 14A, and strikes the punch with the hammer.
Then, the balancer 12A advances into the hole 11a or 11b, and the
thorns 15A cut their way into the wooden bar 11. As a result, four
grooves 17A are left in the wooden bar 11 as shown in FIGS. 17A and
17B, and the head portion 14A bores up the hole 11a or 11b as
indicated by 18A.
[0101] Subsequently, the assembling worker inserts a hexagonal
wrench into the hexagonal socket 16A, and turns the balancer 12A
about the center axis CL1 at 45 degrees. The thorns 15A further
cuts their way into the wooden bar 11, and arched grooves 17a are
formed in parallel to the peripheral surface of the stem portion
13A as shown in FIGS. 17C and 17D. The surfaces 15a are held in
contact with the inner surfaces defining the arched grooves 17a. In
this situation, even if force is backward exerted on the balancer
12A, the thorns 15A are caught by the wood, and the balancer 12A is
hardly dropped off from the hole 11a or 11b. If, on the other hand,
the force is forwardly exerted on the balancer 12A, the balancer
12A does not advance in so far as the force is equal to or greater
than the force exerted thereon during the insertion. As a result,
the balancers 12A are maintained in the wooden bar 11 in stable,
and are hardly dropped off therefrom.
[0102] As will be understood from the foregoing description, the
balancers 12A are rotated after insertion into the holes 11a and
11b so that the thorns 15A swerve from the grooves 17A. The inner
surfaces, which defined the arched grooves 17a, are closely held in
contact with the thorns 15A, and do not permit the thorns 15A to
move rearwardly. The method for assembling the balancers 12A with
the wooden bars 11 is only different from the prior art method in
that the assembling worker only turns the balancers 12A. The method
makes the assembling work simple and easy so that the production
cost for the black and white keys 4 and 10 is drastically reduced.
Since the balancers 12A are monolithic, it is possible to mass
product the balancers 12A, and any other additional part is not
required. This is conducive to the reduction of cost.
Modifications of the Second Embodiment
[0103] FIG. 18 shows a balancer 22B used in the black/white key 4
or 10. The balancer 22B is made of copper, and is broken down into
plural hexagonal disk portions 23B and column portions 24B. Each of
the hexagonal disk portions 23B has six edges 25B. The column
portions 24B have the outer diameter less than the diagonal line 1
of the hexagonal disk portions 23B, and are inserted between the
hexagonal disk portions 23B. Although the diagonal line 1 is longer
than the diameter of the holes 11a and 11b formed in the wooden bar
11, it is possible to press the balancers 22B into the holes 11a
and 11b. A hexagonal hole 26B is formed in the balancer 22B, and is
open to the outsides on both end surfaces of the balancer 22B.
[0104] The balancer 22B is secured to the wooden bar 11 as follows.
First, a worker aligns the center axis of the balancer 22B with the
center axis "a" of the hole 11a, and brings a punch into contact
with the hexagonal disk portion 23B. The worker strikes the punch
with a hammer. The edges 25B cut their way into the wooden bar 11
so that the balancer 22B is pressed into the hole 11a as shown in
FIGS. 19A and 19B. Six straight grooves are left in the wooden bar
11.
[0105] Subsequently, the worker inserts a hexagonal wrench into the
hexagonal hole 26B, and turns the balancer 22B in the hole 11a at
30 degrees as shown in FIGS. 19C and 19D. The edges 25B swerve from
the straight grooves, and arched grooves are left in the wooden bar
11. If the edges 25B reach the adjacent straight grooves, the edges
25B become rearwardly movable in the adjacent straight grooves. In
order to prevent the balancer 22B from the undesirable state, the
rotation of the balancer 22B is to be less than 60 degrees. Even if
force is exerted on the balancer 22B in the direction opposite to
the direction of the insertion, the balancer 22B is hardly dropped
off from the hole 11a, because the wood 21b, which separate the
arched grooves from each other, resists the force.
[0106] FIG. 20 shows another balancer 32B to be secured to the
wooden bar 11. The balancer 32B is made of copper, and is broken
down into a stem portion 33A and pairs of blades 35B. The pairs of
blades 35B project from the peripheral surface of the stem portion
33B, and spirally extend in parallel to one another. The blades 35B
of each pair are spaced from each other by 180 degrees. Thus, the
pairs of blades 35B are like the turns of a screw partially cut
away.
[0107] Each of the blades 35B increases the width in the clockwise
direction. A hexagonal hole 36B is formed in the stem portion 33A,
and is open to the outside on both end surfaces of the stem portion
33A.
[0108] The balancer is secured to the black/white key 4 or 10 as
follows. Although the black/white key 4/10 includes the wooden bar
11 and covering plate 12a as similar to those shown in FIG. 15, the
wooden bar 11 is formed with elliptical holes 31a instead of the
circular holes 11a and 11b.
[0109] The major axis of the elliptical hole 31a is slightly
shorter than the distance between the tips 35Ba of the blades 35B,
and the minor axis is approximately equal to the diameter of the
stem portion 33B.
[0110] A worker secured the balancer 32B to the wooden bar 11 as
follows. First, the worker aligns the balancer 32B with the
elliptical hole 31a, and brings a punch into contact with the end
surface of the stem portion 33B. The worker strikes the punch with
a hammer. The blades 35B cut their way into the wooden bar 11, and
the balancer 32B is pressed into the elliptical hole 31a as shown
in FIGS. 21A and 21B.
[0111] Subsequently, the worker inserts a hexagonal wrench into the
hexagonal hole 36B, and turns the balancer 32B with the hexagonal
wrench. The blades 35B cut their ways into the wooden bar 11, and
swerve from the elliptical hole 31a. Arched grooves 37B are left in
the wooden bar as shown in FIGS. 21C and 21D, and the blades 35B
are sandwiched between the inner wall portions of the wooden bar 11
which define the arched grooves 37B.
[0112] Even if force is exerted on the balancer 32B in the
direction opposite to the direction of the insertion, the inner
wall portions do not permit the balancer 35B to move rearwardly.
Thus, the balancer 32B is maintained in the wooden bar 11 in
stable.
[0113] FIG. 22 shows a balancer 42B to be secured to the wooden bar
11 through the second modification of the method. The balancer 42B
has a column body 43B, and the column body 43B is slightly smaller
in value of the diameter than the hole 11a formed in the wooden bar
11. A cylindrical through-hole 46B is formed in the column body
43B, and is open to the outside on both end surfaces of the column
body 43B.
[0114] The balancer 42B is secured to the wooden bar 11 as follows.
First, a worker aligns the balancer 42B with the hole 11a, and
presses the balancer 42B into the hole 11a. Subsequently, the
worker inserts a bar 47B into the cylindrical through-hole 46B, and
inclines the bar 47B to either side. Then, the balancer 42B is also
inclined in the hole 11a, and bites into the wooden bar 11 at parts
45a and 45b of the circumferences of the end surfaces as shown. In
other words, when the balancer 42B is inclined, the balancer 42B
form dents 47a and 47b in the inner surface portion of the wooden
bar 11, and the parts 45a and 45b of the circumferences are snugly
received in the dents 47a and 47b.
[0115] Even if force is exerted on the balancer 42B in the
direction of the insertion or the opposite direction, the dents 47a
and 47b do not permit the balancer 42B to move. As a result, the
balancer 42B is hardly dropped off from the hole 11a.
[0116] Moreover, the column body 42B is much simpler than the other
balancers 22B and 32B, and the assembling work is easy as similar
to those on the balancers 22B and 32B. Thus, the second
modification is conducive to further reduction in production
cost.
[0117] As will be understood, the balancers 12A, 22B, 32B and 42B
are made only swerve from the access way into the wooded bar 11 in
the method of the pre-sent invention. As a result, the balancers
12A, 22B, 32B and 42B bite into the wooden bars 11, and the wooden
bars 11 resist the force undesirably exerted on the balancers 12A,
22B, 32B and 42B. This results in that the balancers 12A, 22B, 32B
and 42B are maintained in the wooden bars 11 in stable against the
aged deterioration of the wooden bars 11. The method is so simple
that the production cost for the keys 4/10 is drastically
reduced.
Third Embodiment
[0118] FIG. 23 shows yet another sort of balancers 12C incorporated
in the white key 10. The wooden bar 11 has the grain of wood 11G
extending in the longitudinal direction of the wooden bar 11. In
other words, the grain of wood 11G is laminated in the direction of
the width of the wooden bar 11. The holes 11a and 11b are formed in
the front portion of the wooden bar 11, and are cylindrical.
[0119] The balancer 12C is made of composite material such as, for
example, tungsten powder containing synthetic resin, and is
resiliently deformable. In this instance, the tungsten powder is
dispersed in nylon. The amount of tungsten powder is so much that
the tungsten powder containing nylon has a relatively large
specific gravity. Even if the specific gravity is increased to 14,
the tungsten powder containing nylon does not lose the
resiliency.
[0120] The balancer 12C is shaped into an elliptic cylinder as
shown in FIG. 24. The major axis and minor axis are labeled with
"a1" and "b1", respectively, and the diameter of the holes 11a and
11b is greater than the major axis a1 and is less than the minor
axis b1.
[0121] The balancer 12C is secured to the wooden bar 11 as follows.
A worker brings the balancer 12C close to the hole 11a, and directs
the balancer 12C in such a manner as to have the major axis a1 in
parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wooden bar 11 as
shown in FIG. 25A. The worker exerts force on both end portions
12a1 and 12b1 at both ends of the major axis also as to make the
balancer 12C shrunk in the direction of the major axis a1.
[0122] Subsequently, the worker aligns the shrunk balancer 12C with
the hole 11a, and presses the shrunk balancer 12C into the hole 11a
by striking it with a hammer. The resilient force is exerted on the
inner surface of the wooden bar 11 in a direction X parallel to the
longitudinal direction of the wooden bar 11 as shown in FIG. 25B.
As described hereinbefore, the grain of wood 11G extends in
parallel to the longitudinal direction of the wooden bar 11 so that
the wooden bar 11 can well withstand the force in the direction X
and the opposite direction. The balancer 12C does not exert any
force in a direction of Y and the opposite direction on the inner
surface of the wooden bar 11, or exerts only a negligible amount of
force thereon, because the minor axis b1 is shorter than the
diameter of the hole 11a. In these circumstances, the wooden bar 11
is hardly cracked by the balancer 12C.
[0123] As will be understood, the balancer 12C exerts the resilient
force on the inner surface of the wooden bar 11 only in the
direction X parallel to the longitudinal direction, and the force
in the direction of Y is negligible. Since the wood well withstands
the force in parallel to the grain 11G, the white key 10 is durable
without any serious crack.
Modifications of the Third Embodiment
[0124] FIG. 26 shows the first modification 22C of the balancer
12C. The balancer 22C is made of the composite material, and has a
generally elliptic cylinder configuration without crescent portions
at both ends of the minor axis. In other words, the balancer 22C
has flat surfaces 23a and 23b extending between round surfaces 22a
and 22b in parallel to the major axis c1.
[0125] The balancer 22C is secured to the wooden bar 11 as follows.
First, a worker directs the balancer 22C in such a manner as to
make the major axis in parallel to the longitudinal direction of
the wooden bar 11 as shown in FIG. 27A, and exerts force on the
round surfaces 22a and 22b. Then, the balancer 22C is shrunk in the
direction of the major axis c1.
[0126] The worker aligns the shrunk balancer 22C with the hole 11a,
and presses the shrunk balancer 22C into the hole 11a as shown in
FIG. 27B. The shrunk balancer 22C exerts the resilient force on the
inner surface of the wooden bar 11 in both directions parallel to
the longitudinal direction of the wooden bar 11. The flat surfaces
23a and 23b are spaced from the inner surface of the wooden bar 11
so that the force in the vertical direction Y is negligible. Thus,
the white key 10 is durable without any crack.
Fourth Embodiment
[0127] FIG. 28 shows still another sort of balancers 13D secured to
the wooden bar 11 of the white key 10. The wooden bar has the grain
of wood 11G, which extends in parallel to the longitudinal
direction of the wooden bar 11. Holes 11a' and 11b' are formed in
the front portion of the wooden bar 11, and have center axes
extending in parallel to one another in the direction perpendicular
to the longitudinal direction of the wooden bar 11. The holes 11a'
and 11b' have circular cross sections, and the circular cross
sections are varied in area in the direction of the center axes. In
short, although the wooden bar 11 is formed with the holes 11a' and
11b' as similar to those for the first to third embodiments, the
holes 11a' and 11b' are different in configuration from the holes
11a and 11b.
[0128] As will be seen in FIGS. 29 and 30, the holes 11a' and 11b'
are constricted in the middle. In detail, the entrances of the
holes 11a/11b which are defined by inner surfaces 14a'/14b' are
wider than central zones, which are defined by inner walls 16D. The
entrances are connected to the central zones through intermediate
zones, which are defined by slopes 15a'/15b'. The entrances and
intermediate zones are arranged in symmetrical with respect to the
central zone. Thus, the inner diameter of the holes 11a/11b is
gradually reduced from the entrances to the central zones.
[0129] The balancer 13D is shown in FIG. 31. The balancer 13D is
made of composite resilient material, which has a relatively large
value in the specific gravity. In this instance, the composite
resilient material is tungsten powder containing nylon, i.e., the
tungsten powder is dispersed in the nylon. The balancer 13D has a
generally column shape. The manufacturer can optimize the weight of
the balancer 13D by changing the amount of tungsten powder. In
fact, even if the specific gravity is increased to 14, the
composite resilient material exhibits the resiliency.
[0130] Although most of the peripheral surface extends in parallel
to the center axis thereof, both ends are tapered as indicated by
13a'. The tapered surfaces are referred to as "guide portions
13a'". As shown in FIG. 32A, the balancer 13D has an outer diameter
"d", and the entrances and central zone have inner diameters "D1"
and "D2", respectively. The outer diameter d is equal to or less
than inner diameter D1, and is greater than the inner diameter D2.
The resiliency of the composite resilient material permits the
balancers 13D to shrink the outer diameter from d to D2.
[0131] The balancers 13D are secured to the wooden bar 11 as
follows. First, the worker aligns the balancer 13D with the hole
11a', and inserts the guide portion 13a' into the entrance. The
worker can insert the balancer 13D into either entrance 14a' or
14b'. When the guide portion 13a' reaches the slope 15a', the
worker feels the resistance against the insertion. Then, the worker
presses the balancer 13D into the hole 11a'. The worker may strike
the end surface of the balancer 13D with a hammer. The balancer 13D
is resiliently deformed, and is moved into the central zone.
[0132] The worker further presses the balancer 13D into the hole
11a'. The balancer 13D is recovered to the initial shape after
passing through the central zone. When the end portion reaches the
other of the entrances 14b' or 14a', the worker stops to exert the
force on the balancer 13D. The balancer 13D exerts the resilient
force on the slopes 15a' and 15b' and inner surface 16D, and the
resiliency keeps the balancer 13D hardly moved in the hole 11a'.
Thus, the balancer 13D is secured to the wooden bar 11.
[0133] Even though the holes 11a and 11b are widened due to the
aged deterioration, at least the central zone still has the inner
diameter D2 less than the outer diameter d of the balancer 13D, and
the balancer 13D continuously exerts the resilient force on at
least the inner surface 16D. For this reason, the balancers are
neither chattered in the holes 11a' and 11b' nor dropped off from
the holes 11a' and 11b'.
[0134] As will be understood from the foregoing description, the
constricted holes 11a' and 11b' make the balancers 13D partially
shrunk, and the resiliency of the composite resilient material
keeps the balancers 13D stable in the constricted holes 11a' and
11b' against the aged deterioration in the wooden bar 11.
[0135] Moreover, the worker is expected to exert the force on the
balancers 13D in the direction of the center axes of the
constricted holes 11a'/11b' for the insertion. Thus, the assembling
work is simple, and the simple assembling work reduces the
production cost of the black and white keys 4 and 10.
Modifications of the Fourth Embodiment
[0136] FIG. 33 shows the first modification 21a' of the constricted
hole 11a'/11b'. The balancer 13D is inserted into 21a', and is
resiliently deformed in conformity with the constricted hole
21a'.
[0137] The constricted hole 21a' has entrances 24a' and 24b', which
are open to the outside on the side surfaces of the wooden bar 11.
The entrances 24a' and 24b' are equal in diameter to and longer in
length than the entrances 14a' and 14b'. A pair of slopes 25a'/25b'
is formed between the entrances 24a' and 24b', and the slopes
25a'/25b' are symmetrical with each other. The slope 25a' makes the
diameter of the hole 21a' from the entrance 24a' to the middle 26D
of the hole 21a', and the slope 25b' makes the diameter of the hole
21b' from the other entrance 24b' to the middle 26D. For this
reason, the diameter is minimized at the middle 26D of the hole
21a'. The slopes 25a'/25b' are shorter than the slopes 15a' and
15b', and the middle 26D is equal to the inner diameter of the
central zone. For this reason, the slopes 25a'/25b' are sharply
inclined rather than the slopes 15a' and 15b'.
[0138] The balancer 13D is secured to the wooden bar 11 as similar
to the fourth embodiment, and no further description is hereinafter
incorporated for the sake of simplicity. The first modification
keeps the balancer 13D stable in the constricted hole 21a'.
Moreover, the slopes 25a' and 25b' are so sharp that the wooden bar
11 strongly grasps the balancers 13D.
[0139] FIG. 24 shows the second modification 31a' of the
constricted hole 11a'/11b'. The constricted hole 31a' has entrances
34a' and 34b', which are equal in length and diameter to the
entrances 24a' and 24b', and a central zone 35D is sandwiched
between the entrances 34a' and 34b'. The central zone is decreased
in diameter from one of the entrances 34a' and 34b' to the middle
of the central zone 35D, and is increased from the middle to the
other of the entrances 34a' and 34b'. For this reason, the
periphery of the central zone 35D is indicated by a hyperbolic
curve on the longitudinal cross section. The middle of the central
zone 35D is equal in diameter to the middle 26D of the central
zone.
[0140] The balancer 13d is secured to the wooden bar 11 as similar
to the fourth embodiment, and achieves all the advantages.
Moreover, the gently curved central zone 35D permits the worker
smoothly to insert the balancer 13D into the constricted hole
31a'.
[0141] FIG. 35 shows the third modification 41a' of the constricted
hole 11a'/11b'. The constricted hole 41a' has both end portions
44a' and 44b', which are equal in diameter and length to the
entrances 24a' and 24b'. The central zone is formed by only one
slope 45' between the end portions 44a' and 44b'. The slope 45'
makes the central zone decreased in diameter from the end portion
44b' to the other end portion 44a'. For this reason, the diameter
is abruptly increased at the boundary between the central zone or
slope 45' and the end portion 44a'. In other words, a stopper wall
44b' is formed at the boundary between the slope 45a' and the end
portion 44a'. Thus, the constricted hole 41a' has the minimum
diameter at the boundary between the central zone and the end
portion 44a'. The minimum diameter is equal to the middle 26D of
the central zone.
[0142] Since the diameter is abruptly increased at the boundary
between the central zone or slope 45' and the end portion 44a', the
worker is to insert the balancer 13D from the end portion 44b' as
indicated by arrow ar11. The stopper wall 46' does not permit the
balancer 13D to move in the direction opposite to the arrow ar11.
Thus, the slope 45' allows the balancer 13D smoothly to enter the
end portion 44a' as indicated by the arrow ar11, and prohibits it
from the reverse motion.
[0143] As will be understood from the foregoing description, the
fourth embodiment and modifications thereof keeps the balancers 13D
stable in the constricted holes 11a'/11b', 21a', 31a' and 41a'
against the aged deterioration of the wooden bar 11 without any
complicated work in the assemblage.
Fifth Embodiment
[0144] FIG. 36 shows yet another sort of balancer 52E to be secured
to the keys 4 and 10. The balancer 53E is made of copper, and is
broken down into a stem portion 13E, a head portion 14E and thorns
15E. The balancer 53E is similar in configuration to the balancer
12A except for the hexagonal hole 16A. Namely, neither hole nor
recess is formed in the balancer 52E. The head portion 14E is
greater in diameter than the holes 11a/11b, and the stem portion
13E is equal to or less in diameter than the holes 11a/11b.
[0145] The balancer 52E is secured to the wooden bar 11 as follows.
First, a worker aligns the balancer 52E with the hole 11a or 11b,
and presses it into the hole 11a/11b. The punch and hammer are
available for the insertion. The thorns 15E form the grooves during
the insertion as similar to the balancer 12A.
[0146] Subsequently, the worker pinches both end surfaces, which
are exposed to the outside through both openings on the side
surfaces of the wooden bar, with a suitable tool or jig, and turns
the balancer 52E in the hole 11a/11b. The thorns 15E swerve from
the grooves, and bite into the wooden bar 11.
[0147] The wooden bar 11 offers the resistance against the reverse
motion of the balancer 5E. Thus, the thorns 15E, which bite into
the wooden bar 11, prevent the balancer 52E from dropping off from
the wooden bar 11.
[0148] Any tool or jig is available for the balancer 52E in so far
as it makes the balancer 52E turn in the hole 11a/11b. A pair of
resilient bars, which are held in contact with both ends, or a
vacuum pincette may be used as the tool.
Modifications of the Fifth Embodiment
[0149] The first to third modifications of the fifth embodiment are
similar to the modifications 22B, 32B and 42B except for the
hexagonal holes 26B, 36B and 46B. Namely, any hole is not formed in
the first to third modifications of the fifth embodiment. When the
worker makes the edges 25B, blades 35B or part of peripheries
swerve from the grooves, the worker pinches the first, second or
third modification with the tool or jig, and turns the
balancer.
[0150] Although particular embodiments of the present invention
have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled
in the art that various changes and modifications may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0151] The grand piano does not set any limit to the technical
scope of the present invention. The present invention is applicable
to an upright piano or any keyboard musical instrument having keys
embedded with balancers.
[0152] For example, a mute piano is an example of the keyboard
musical instrument. A hammer stopper and an electronic tone
generating system are installed in a piano. The hammer stopper is
moved into or out of the trajectories of the hammers, and the
electronic tone generating system monitors the keys for producing
pieces of music data representative of the tones to be
electronically produced. When a user wishes to practice the
fingering without any acoustic piano tones, the user moves the
hammer stopper into the trajectories of the hammers so that the
hammers rebound on the hammer stopper before striking the strings.
The user hears the electronic tones instead of the acoustic piano
tones.
[0153] Another example is an automatic player piano, in which an
automatic playing system is incorporated. The automatic playing
system includes solenoid-operated key actuators under the keys, and
makes the solenoid-operated key actuators to move the keys without
fingering. Thus, the automatic playing system reproduces a piece of
music without fingering on the keyboard.
[0154] Yet another example is a practice keyboard. While a user is
fingering on the keyboard, an absorber is struck with the hammers
or quasi-hammers so that the user practices the fingering without
any tone.
[0155] The monolithic balancer 12a does not set any limit to the
technical scope of the present invention. The crushable portions
14, 18, 18a, 18b, 24, 34 and 44 may be jointed to the disk portions
15a/15b/17, 17a, 17b, 25a/25b, 35a/35b and 45a/45b. This
modification is referred to as a "composite balancer". In this
instance, it is possible to make the crushable portion 14 of
certain material more crushable than the material for the disk
portions 15a and 15b. Moreover, the disk portions 15a and 15b may
be larger in specific weight than the crushable portion 14. In this
instance, it is desirable that the crushable portion 14 is
assembled with the disk portions 15a and 15b for easiness of
handling. The composite balancer is advantageous in that the
crushable portions widely project and in that the disk portions are
designed to be easily fitted into the holes.
[0156] The cylindrical holes 11a/11b and generally column-shaped
balancers 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 22, 32 and 42 do not set any limit to
the technical scope of the present invention. The holes 11a/11b may
have a triangle cross section, a rectangular cross section, a
polygonal cross section or an elliptical cross section, and,
accordingly, the balancers may have the cross section corresponding
to the holes.
[0157] The crushable concentric disk portion 44 does not set any
limit to the technical scope of the present invention. The
crushable portion of the balancer 42 may have the configuration
same as any one of the other balancers 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 22 and
32. Moreover, the crushable disk portion may be offset from the
disk portions 45a/45b.
[0158] The adhesive compound 49 does not set any limit to the
technical scope of the present invention. The filler may be
synthetic resin, rubber or soft metal.
[0159] The wooden bar 11 does not set any limit to the technical
scope of the present invention. The black keys 4 and white keys 10
may be fabricated on the basis of synthetic bars instead of the
wooden bars 11. In this instance, the manufacturer does not take
the direction of grain 11G into account. The crushable portions are
allowed to project in any direction.
[0160] In order to make the balancers 12A, 22B and 32B swerve from
the straight grooves, the worker turns the balancers 12A, 22B and
32B in the holes 11a. However, the worker may slide the balancers
12A, 22B and 32B. Then, some thorns 15A, some edges 25B and some
blades 35B bite into the wooden bar 11.
[0161] Thorns or claws may be formed on the end surfaces of the
column body 43B. Otherwise, the circumferences may be partially
recurved. The hexagonal disk portions 23B may be replaced with
triangle disk portions, rectangular disk portions or pentagonal
disk portions.
[0162] In the third embodiment and its modification, the elliptic
cylindrical balancer 12C and generally elliptic cylindrical
balancer 22c are pressed into the circular holes 11a. However,
other combinations of the balancers and holes are available for the
keys 4 and 10. The hole and balancer may be shaped in an elliptical
cylinder and a circular column. Otherwise, a cubic balancer may be
pressed into a rectangular parallelepiped hole. The keys may be
formed with recesses instead of the holes 11a and 11b.
[0163] The tungsten power and nylon do not set any limit to the
technical scope of the present invention. The composite material
may be made from another sort of heavy metal powder and another
sort of synthetic resin. Otherwise, a piece of solid metal may be
wrapped with synthetic resin. However, the lead is to be avoided.
For example, a column of heavy metal is wrapped with a sheet of
metal powder containing synthetic resin, and the balancers 12C/22C
may be replaced with this sort of balancers.
[0164] The composite resilient material may be made from another
sort of heavy metal such as, for example, iron or copper and
another sort of synthetic resin. Any combination is available for
the balancer in so far as the composite material has the resiliency
and large specific gravity.
[0165] Although the balancer 13D is monolithic, the monolithic body
does not set any limit to the technical scope of the present
invention. A modification of the balancer 13D may be constituted by
a core, which is made of heavy metal, and an outer layer, which is
made of resilient material such as, for example, synthetic resin or
rubber. However, it is recommendable to avoid lead from the
viewpoint of the environmental contamination. It is necessary that
the outer layer has the thickness greater than the difference
between the maximum diameter of the constricted hole and the
minimum diameter thereof. The core is less in diameter than the
minimum diameter of the constricted hole.
[0166] The constricted hole may have an elliptical cross section, a
triangle cross section or a rectangular cross section. When the
elliptic cylinders are formed in the wooden bar, it is desirable
that the elliptical cylinders have the major axes extending in
parallel to the grain of wood 11G.
[0167] The balancers 13D with the circular cross section do not set
any limit to the technical scope of the present invention. The
balancer may have a cross section corresponding to the constricted
hole described in the previous paragraph. Moreover, a ring-shaped
groove may be formed in the central portion of the column balancer
13D so as to receive the inner wall portion, which defines the
central zone. A balancer, which is available for the keys 4 and 10
of the pre-sent invention, may have a diameter slightly greater
than the diameter of the entrances in so far as the composite
material permits the balancer to be widely deformed.
[0168] The entrances 14a'/14b', 24a'/24b' and 34a'/34b' are equal
in diameter and length to each other in the fourth embodiment and
its modifications. However, this feature does not set any limit to
the technical scope of the present invention. In another
modification, the entrances are different in diameter and/or length
from one another.
[0169] The stem portion 13E may be less in diameter than the hole
11a/11b in so far as the thorns 15E have a radius of curvature
greater than that of the hole 11a/11b.
[0170] In order to make the balancers 52E swerve from the straight
grooves, the worker may slide the balancers 52E. The changes of the
second embodiment are applicable to the fifth embodiment.
[0171] Claim languages are correlated with the component parts of
the embodiments and modifications thereof as follows. The action
units 5, hammers 6 and strings 8 as a whole constitute a "tone
generator". The black keys 4 and white keys 10 serve as "plural
keys", and the rear portions and front portions are corresponding
to "end portions" and "other end portions", respectively. The
wooden bars 11 are corresponding to "bars", and balance pins 3b
offer "fulcrums" to the keys.
[0172] The bulge portion 14c and crushed portions 24, 34 and 44 are
corresponding to a "plastically deformed portion", and make the
balancers 12c, 12d, 12e, 22, 32 and 42 bite into the wooden bars 11
at the bulge portion 14a, part of the disk portion 25a, parts of
circumferences 36a/36b/37a/37b and adhesive compound 49. The holes
11a and 11b serve as a "hollow space", and the pair of disk
portions 15a/15b, 17, 17a, 17b, 25a/25b, 35a/35b or 45a/45b is
corresponding to a "snug portion".
[0173] The balancers 12C and 22C serve as "resiliently deformed
balancers", and the balancers 12C and 22C exert the resilient force
on the "part of the inner surface defining said at least one hole"
at both ends 12a/12b and 22a/22b of the major axes. The direction X
is corresponding to a "direction parallel to a longitudinal
direction of associated one of said bars".
[0174] The constricted holes 11a'/11b', 21a'/31a' serve as "at
least one constricted hole", and the balancer 13D is corresponding
to "associated one of said resiliently deformed balancers". The
inner surfaces 16D, 26D, 35D and 46' serve as an "inner surface"
defining a constricted portion of said constricted hole.
[0175] The thorns 15A/15E, edges 25B, blades 35B and parts 45a/45b
of circumferences serve as "at least one lodged portion", and are
corresponding to "at least one projection". The stem portion and
head portion 13A/14A, column portions 24B and hexagonal disk
portions 23B except the edges 25B, stem portion 33B or column body
43B are corresponding to a "body". The hexagonal disk portions 23B
serve as "polygonal portions".
* * * * *